Top 5 Persian (Farsi) Transcription Services (Best Providers Compared in 2026)

If you need accurate Persian (Farsi) transcripts in 2026, start with a provider that can handle Persian script, dialect differences, and tricky audio (phone calls, meetings, interviews). In this guide, GoTranscript is our top pick for most teams because it offers professional human transcription and clear service options for real-world use cases. Below, you’ll see how we evaluated providers, the top 5 picks with pros and cons, and a practical checklist to verify accuracy.

• Primary keyword: Persian (Farsi) transcription services

Key takeaways

• Human transcription is still the safest choice for Persian audio with cross-talk, dialect mixing, or poor sound.
• Define your output needs first (Persian script vs. Latin transliteration, verbatim vs. clean, timestamps, speaker labels).
• Run a short paid test using the same audio type you’ll order later to confirm formatting and accuracy.
• Plan for review if your content is sensitive, technical, or legal—transcription is part of a workflow, not the last step.

Quick verdict: the best Persian (Farsi) transcription services in 2026

Best overall for most needs: GoTranscript (human transcription with flexible add-ons).

Best for teams already in Microsoft 365: Microsoft Teams transcription (convenient for meetings, quality depends on audio and language support in your setup).

Best for researchers who can do some cleanup: OpenAI Whisper (strong ASR model, but you must manage workflow and editing).

Best for creators who need captions too: Rev (good workflow tools; check Persian language coverage and output options before committing).

Best for fast rough drafts: Google speech-to-text tools in your workflow (useful for quick notes; expect manual corrections).

How we evaluated (transparent methodology)

We compared these Persian (Farsi) transcription services using a practical, buyer-focused method. We did not run lab tests for this article, so we avoided claiming specific accuracy numbers.

Evaluation criteria

• Language handling: Persian script support, punctuation behavior, numbers (Persian/Arabic/Latin), and mixed-language speech.
• Real-world audio readiness: performance expectations for meetings, interviews, phone audio, multiple speakers, and background noise.
• Output options: clean vs. verbatim, timestamps, speaker labels, and file formats (DOCX, TXT, SRT, VTT).
• Turnaround and scalability: whether you can process single files and ongoing batches.
• Workflow fit: ordering, integrations, editing tools, and how easy it is to request revisions or formatting changes.
• Security and privacy basics: whether the provider explains how they handle your files and access controls.
• Price clarity: how easy it is to understand what you’ll pay and what extras cost.

How to use this comparison

• If you need publish-ready Persian, weight “language handling” and “output options” higher.
• If you need internal notes, weight “turnaround” and “cost” higher.
• If you handle sensitive audio, weight “security and privacy basics” and your own internal review higher.

Top picks (pros/cons) — best providers compared

1) GoTranscript — best overall for Persian transcription (most use cases)

GoTranscript is a strong choice when you need dependable Persian transcripts for interviews, meetings, lectures, and media. It also works well if you need extra formatting such as timestamps or strict speaker labels.

• Pros
  • Professional human transcription for higher confidence on difficult Persian audio.
  • Clear add-ons such as timestamps and verbatim/clean read options (helpful for research and editing workflows).
  • Good fit for teams that need consistent formatting across many files.
• Cons
  • Human transcription usually costs more than fully automated tools for rough drafts.
  • Turnaround depends on service level and file length.

If you also need captions, pair transcription with closed caption services so you can publish accessible video versions without rebuilding the text from scratch.

2) Rev — best for a polished workflow (confirm Persian coverage for your needs)

Rev is known for a smooth ordering and editing experience and for offering both human and AI options. For Persian, you should confirm language support, formatting expectations, and what “verbatim” includes before you standardize on it.

• Pros
  • Convenient workflow for ordering, reviewing, and managing multiple files.
  • Often a good fit if you switch between transcripts and captions.
• Cons
  • Persian language support and output details can vary by product tier.
  • Costs can rise if you need rush turnaround and heavy formatting.

3) OpenAI Whisper (self-managed) — best for technical teams who can edit

Whisper is an automatic speech recognition (ASR) model many teams use to generate first drafts, including non-English languages. It can be a good option if you have someone who can review Persian text carefully, handle speaker labeling, and enforce formatting standards.

• Pros
  • Good starting point for quick drafts and internal use.
  • Flexible: you control how you run it, store files, and post-process output.
• Cons
  • You must manage privacy, storage, and access controls yourself.
  • Expect errors with names, dialect switching, and crosstalk unless you do thorough review.

4) Microsoft Teams transcription — best for Persian meetings inside Microsoft 365

If your Persian audio mostly comes from Teams meetings, built-in transcription can be a practical way to capture notes quickly. Your results will depend heavily on microphone quality, speaker overlap, and whether your tenant configuration supports the language behavior you expect.

• Pros
  • Convenient: transcripts attach to the meeting workflow.
  • Useful for searchable meeting notes and follow-ups.
• Cons
  • Not designed for publish-ready Persian without editing.
  • Speaker labeling and punctuation may need cleanup for interviews.

5) Google speech-to-text in your workflow — best for quick rough drafts

Google’s speech recognition tools (often accessed through Google Cloud or consumer apps) can help you get a fast draft for search, summaries, or internal note-taking. For Persian, plan time for corrections, especially for proper nouns and code-switching (Persian/English).

• Pros
  • Fast output for brainstorming and internal notes.
  • Easy to connect to other tools if your team already uses Google Cloud.
• Cons
  • Not a substitute for human review when accuracy matters.
  • Formatting and timestamps can require extra steps.

How to choose for your use case (decision guide)

Pick a Persian (Farsi) transcription service based on what happens after you get the transcript. A transcript for editing video needs different formatting than a transcript for court, research coding, or customer support.

Use case: interviews and journalism

• Choose human transcription if your audio includes interruptions, emotion, or fast back-and-forth.
• Request speaker labels and timestamps every 30–60 seconds if you need fast quoting and verification.
• Decide early: clean read for publishable text vs. verbatim for exact quotes.

Use case: academic research (qualitative coding)

• Ask for consistent speaker IDs (S1, S2…) across files to reduce coding friction.
• Use verbatim when pauses, fillers, or emphasis matter to your analysis.
• Plan a spot-check process (e.g., 5 minutes per 30 minutes of audio) before you code the full dataset.

Use case: business meetings and internal notes

• Automated tools can be enough if you only need action items and searchable text.
• Use a good mic and reduce crosstalk to improve results more than any setting.
• For important meetings, create a hybrid workflow: AI first draft + human proofreading.

Use case: video, captions, and accessibility

• If you need captions, order captions directly rather than trying to convert a transcript yourself.
• For accessibility expectations, review guidance on captions and user needs from the W3C WAI captioning overview.
• If you need Persian subtitles for international audiences, consider separate subtitle formatting rules and line length.

Use case: legal, medical, or sensitive content

• Choose providers that explain file handling and access controls, and align them with your internal policies.
• Ask for strict formatting (speaker labels, timestamps, and “inaudible” markers) so reviewers can verify claims.
• Keep a review step with a domain expert for terminology and names.

Specific Persian (Farsi) transcription accuracy checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate any provider with one short test file before you commit. It’s designed for Persian’s common transcription pain points.

Language and script

• Script choice: Do you want Persian script only, or do you also need Latin transliteration?
• Numbers: Are numbers in the format you need (e.g., ۱۲۳ vs 123), and is it consistent?
• Punctuation: Does the transcript add punctuation that matches meaning, or does it change intent?
• Code-switching: Does it handle English names, brand terms, or acronyms cleanly inside Persian text?

Names, places, and terminology

• Proper nouns: Are people and place names consistent from start to end?
• Glossary support: Can you provide a list of names/terms to reduce errors?
• Technical words: Does it capture specialized terms (medical, legal, engineering) without guessing?

Speakers and timing

• Speaker labels: Are speakers separated correctly when they interrupt each other?
• Timestamps: Are timestamps placed where you need them (interval-based vs. speaker-change)?
• Overlapping talk: Does it mark overlap clearly instead of merging sentences?

Audio and editing signals

• Inaudible markers: Are unclear sections marked consistently (e.g., [inaudible 00:12:33])?
• Non-speech cues: If needed, does it mark [laughter], [music], or [crosstalk]?
• Consistency: Are formatting rules the same across multiple files?

A simple acceptance test you can run

• Pick a 10–15 minute Persian clip with two speakers and some background noise.
• Include at least 10 proper nouns (names, places, organizations) and a few numbers.
• Ask for the exact output you’ll need later (speaker labels, timestamps, verbatim/clean read).
• Review it with this checklist and decide if the provider fits your risk level.

Common questions

1) Is Persian transcription the same as Farsi transcription?

Yes. “Persian” and “Farsi” usually refer to the same language, but dialect and vocabulary can vary by region and speaker background.

2) Should I choose human or automated Persian transcription?

Choose human transcription when accuracy matters, the audio is messy, or you need publish-ready text. Choose automated transcription for fast drafts and internal notes, then plan time for editing.

3) Do I need timestamps in a Persian transcript?

Timestamps help when you need to quote, verify, or edit audio/video. If you only need a readable document, you can often skip them to keep the transcript cleaner.

4) Can providers transcribe mixed Persian and English audio?

Many can, but quality varies. If your audio includes many English names or technical terms, send a short glossary with preferred spellings.

5) What file format should I request?

For reading and editing, request DOCX or Google Docs-friendly text. For captions/subtitles, request SRT or VTT so timing and line breaks work in video players.

6) How can I improve Persian transcription accuracy before I upload audio?

• Use a dedicated mic and reduce room echo.
• Ask speakers to avoid talking over each other.
• Share names, acronyms, and key terms in advance.

7) When should I add a proofreading step?

Add proofreading when the transcript supports decisions, publishing, compliance, or research coding. It also helps when you have dialect switching or lots of proper nouns.

Conclusion: picking the right Persian transcription service in 2026

The best Persian (Farsi) transcription service depends on how accurate your final text must be and how much cleanup your team can realistically do. If you want a reliable, publish-ready workflow, start with a human transcription provider; if you just need fast drafts, use an automated tool and budget time for review.

If you want a straightforward path to accurate Persian transcripts with clear options for formatting and turnaround, GoTranscript offers professional transcription services that can fit interviews, meetings, research, and media workflows.